Ultrasonographic evaluation of hysterectomized patients with and without concomitant adnexectomy?

To present our experience with the use of ultrasonography in the evaluation of hysterectomized patients.

The study group was comprised of 100 consecutive women referred to our ambulatory unit for pelvic sonographic evaluation between April 1, 1996 and March 31, 1997. Inclusion criteria were previous hysterectomy for a benign condition with or without concomitant bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and available medical and gynecological histories.

No significant difference was observed in the rate of abnormal ultrasonographic findings among the patients who had had bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy 5/50 and those who had not (8/50). There was also no significant difference in pelvic mass rate between the patients who were receiving hormone replacement therapy and those who were not. The sensitivity of sonography in our study was 100% and the positive predictive value, 84.5%.

Sonography is a useful diagnostic tool in the follow-up and management of post-hysterectomy patients.